FUNGI AND LICHENS

"Fungi are a sister group of animals that radiated about a billion years ago. They constitute an independent group, equal in rank to that of plants and animals. They share with animals the ability to export enzymes that break down food. Rather than requiring a stomach to accomplish digestion, fungi live in their own food supply and simply grow into new food when necessary. Although the fungal filaments and spores are microscopic, the colony can be very large, with individuals of some species rivaling the mass of the largest animals or plants. Within their varied natural habitats, fungi usually are the primary decomposers. Many species, such as the shelf fungi near the top of the wall, use carbon from wood, soils, leaf litter, and dead animals. Several independent groups of fungi have adaptations to trap and degrade nematodes and other small animals. Many other fungi form mutually beneficial associations with plants and animals. Examples are lichens, a blue green specimen, mycorrhizae, which are found surrounding and inside plant roots, and fungi that live inside leaves and stems. There is a better than 80% chance that any plant you find has these fungi."